Good game, but....the AI is very bad.

[PvK]

I'd say the AI is remarkably good. Especially considering both the complexity of the game, and the level of AI in other strategy games, even ones with much less complexity.

My own win/loss record against the AI is something like 3 complete losses (I was wiped out after making some initial progress), 2 convincing wins (not yet completed), and 5 games with very long stalemates and very near defeats before eventually I'm starting to pull ahead (but also not completed).

I'd say that's a pretty awesome record for the AI, considering I'm a very smart strategy game player with decades of gaming experience, and that the game has insane amounts of complexity.

Of course, I'm not just duelling against a single AI in these games - I tend to play against multiple AI's with some or all of them given bonuses, and I don't go nuts trying to exploit techniques to the utmost, but rather I play to enjoy the game by trying out different strategies and techniques to see how they work, and so on. I don't recall every having a more rewarding experience against an AI player in a strategy game.

The "Light Infantry issue" isn't so much an AI issue as it is a game balance issue. The LI fight like HI and so become rather ineffective in most cases, and therefore they are generally a weak choice. I would say that should be addressed by making LI a more viable choice, by adjusting the tactical AI so LI don't often get caught in melee with superior enemy forces, and/or by reducing their gold cost in most cases.

PvK

[MStavros]

Hum, maybe "lot of" problem will be solved, with the removal of LI. We shall see.
Damn I cant wait to see, what will the AI do than!

[ May 10, 2004, 23:14: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[proteus]

Originally posted by PDF:

(edit) : Why are you asking ppl to give "formulas" for AI ? Users complain about a feature they think "bad", they don't *have to* give a solution...
(Should be your techie-oriented thinking )

Hehe yup, I agree with this sorta. Anyways Gandalf propably meant that we should help the devs with that. However they know that whats wrong with the AI, I guess they can solve those problems with coding/testing.
I will try to help them, to give them examples if I can, but I dont know that it will help at all or not.

[proteus]

Originally posted by PvK:
I'd say the AI is remarkably good. Especially considering both the complexity of the game, and the level of AI in other strategy games, even ones with much less complexity.

My own win/loss record against the AI is something like 3 complete losses (I was wiped out after making some initial progress), 2 convincing wins (not yet completed), and 5 games with very long stalemates and very near defeats before eventually I'm starting to pull ahead (but also not completed).

I'd say that's a pretty awesome record for the AI, considering I'm a very smart strategy game player with decades of gaming experience, and that the game has insane amounts of complexity.

Of course, I'm not just duelling against a single AI in these games - I tend to play against multiple AI's with some or all of them given bonuses, and I don't go nuts trying to exploit techniques to the utmost, but rather I play to enjoy the game by trying out different strategies and techniques to see how they work, and so on. I don't recall every having a more rewarding experience against an AI player in a strategy game.

The "Light Infantry issue" isn't so much an AI issue as it is a game balance issue. The LI fight like HI and so become rather ineffective in most cases, and therefore they are generally a weak choice. I would say that should be addressed by making LI a more viable choice, by adjusting the tactical AI so LI don't often get caught in melee with superior enemy forces, and/or by reducing their gold cost in most cases.

PvK

Hummm, are you a veteren player?? I am not, and I can beat the AI all the time easily, and I am not using any SCs etc. at all.

[PDF]

Gandalf,
I'm sorry you took my post as offensive, maybe I didn't word it correctly and went up preaching stupidly (English isn't my native language).

I didn't make any remark concerning the devs response, I know they hear us and try to satisfy their customers/fans.
And I've no grudge against the local mods either, that make a terrific work.

Apologies for this stupid episode .

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by proteus:
Hummm, are you a veteren player?? I am not, and I can beat the AI all the time easily, and I am not using any SCs etc. at all.

Its possible. Why dont you post the game parameters. What map? what AIs? what settings on resources and indept strength? What nation do you play?

[sachmo]

I hope my wife never reads this board. She might learn a new tactic to get attention.

[proteus]

Gandalf, I am always playing with indep str 5, because I heard that its the best for the AI.

Hmm I am playing against 1-8 AIs, different maps.
All settings on normal, except the AI. Some AIs are on normal, some on the highest diff level.
I do this because that way 1-2 AIs will be very strong in the early game, so more challange!

I think I will play against allied AIs, I never tried that. I think that will be hard enough!

[MStavros]

Hm, this will be a bit harder than I thought. I need some advice. What should I do with the provincial militias? Make them 'unavaible' in a way, example all of them will cost 100 resources, so the AI propably won't recruit them, OR make them all heavy troops?
I like the first one better, that way the AI will only use the national troops, and maybe it will build lot more forts, since the provinical militias will cost more than any other unit.
It sounds weird I know, but maybe the SP AI will be lot more challenging.

[ May 11, 2004, 18:26: Message edited by: MStavros ]

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by proteus:
Gandalf, I am always playing with indep str 5, because I heard that its the best for the AI.

Hmm I am playing against 1-8 AIs, different maps.
All settings on normal, except the AI. Some AIs are on normal, some on the highest diff level.
I do this because that way 1-2 AIs will be very strong in the early game, so more challange!

I think I will play against allied AIs, I never tried that. I think that will be hard enough!

Other things that boost AI's are:
lower indepts (5 is about human normal)
higher resources
higher magic (if you are not big on spell use)
low random events

If you are going to try allied AI's to make the game harder then take a look at some of the maps Ive done at www.dom2minions.com such as "Poke in the Eye" "Mazes and Monsters" or "War for Independents". Also, I could probably use some suggestions from you on how to make "WE vs THEM" harder since thats supposed to be a game which FORCES players to ally against the AI (if I can make it that hard)